Story Archaeology

Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody

Story Archaeology combines the breadth of knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. We focus on the Irish tradition, peeling back the layers of modern folklore to unearth the potsherds and treasuries of our heritage. On storyarchaeology.com, you will find regular podcasts and articles about Irish Mythology by the Story Archaeologists; Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody.

  • 24 minutes
    Chris’ Ramble 15 ~ Lament for the Ash
    Leafless Ash in June (background) The effects of the die-back disease are slowly destroying most of Ireland's beautiful ash trees. Join Chris as she explores the sad story of this tree-tragedy that began in Leitrim more than a decade ago now and why it is important that everyone should know what is happening to our woodlands. The rot in the heartwood. Links for this episode Explore Ireland's native trees: The Tree Council of Ireland Find out more about CRANN and its current activities: Trees for Ireland Find out more about COILLTE and the projects they support today. Read what TEAGASC have to say about Ash dieback and the future of Ash trees. Trees in Early Ireland by Fergus Kelly: Download the PDF to find out more about early medieval Irish law concerning trees
    12 January 2025, 11:51 pm
  • 48 minutes 56 seconds
    A conversation with Professor Lisa Bitel
    Lisa Bitel is a Professor of Religion and a Medieval historian specializing in Britain and Ireland. and is the author of her new book 'Otherworld'. Join Chris and Lisa as they explore some favourite stories and discuss how best to contintinue the transmission of these wonderful tales, from the deep past, to an audience today. Links for this episode Read more abour Lisa's book Otherworld, Nine tales of early Irish literature Explore more of Lisa's publicaions Story Archaeology Links Our conversation references a number of different stories and story cycles. Explore all the podcast links to episodes about Etain and Midir and Bricriu's feast (This episode was uploaded after a 22 hour power outage, immediately before I flew to the UK for Xmas. If there prove to be minor editing issues, they will be corected shortly)
    18 December 2024, 6:54 pm
  • 45 minutes 39 seconds
    The Uí Máine Project~ A Conversation with Liam Kildea, Nicola Bowes and Paula Sharkey.
    Designed to protect and celebrate the unique Karst landscape of South Roscommon and its embedded mythologies and stories, the Uí Máine community project has grown and developed from the inspired work of three main groups, The Celtic Eye art group, the Karst Farming group and the Taughmaconnell Hall, community. Join Chris as she discovers more about their on-going achievements and awards. Links for this podcast Listen to the podcast A Conversation with Niola Bowes and Rosemary Carty from the Celtic Eye arts group. Find out about Celtic Eye Find out more about the Karst landscape project. View some of Uí Máine Project recent events. Find out more about the geological survey of south Roscommon Find out more on the The Uí Máine Project gallery page (available shortly) karst regions in Ireland
    4 December 2024, 11:45 pm
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    Samhain Special: Corpse Carrying For Beginners
    An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain.  But what could such stories tell us about life 100 or even 1,000 years ago? Find out as the Story Archaeologists, Chris and Isolde, go digging one dark night. I am reposting this episode, one of my personal favourites and one of the most popular, ever. Links for this Episode http://archive.org/details/legendsofsaintss00hyde - Legends of Saints and Sinners (Douglas Hyde). http://archive.org/details/fairyandfolktale33887gut - Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (W. B. Yeats). http://www.celt.dias.ie/publications/celtica/c21.html - Celtica Vol. 21. The journal of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies; School of Celtic Studies (includes the article Echtrae Nerai and its analogues by Seán Ó Coileáin pp. 427–440).
    31 October 2024, 7:03 pm
  • 25 minutes 33 seconds
    Chris’s Ramble 14: Introducing Banbha
    Banbha Banbha is one of the three Dé Danann sisters, daughters of Ernmas, who gave their names to the land of Ireland, Ériu is the best known of the the three but Banbha has another, older, and less well known story to tell. Join Chris as she celebrates the birth of a new granddaughter named Banbha. Links for this episode Take a look at the translation of The book of Invasions, The Lebor Gabála The Lebor Gabála Érenn at a Glance: an Overview of the 11th Century Irish Book of Invasions. Author: Lloyd D. Graham. This is a very useful aid to gaining a handle on the interactions and familial connections of the characters. It includes very helpful tables and even graphs . The Irish National Origin-Legend: Synthetic Pseudohistory Author: John CareyThis is an excellent paper concerning how and why the Lebor Gabála Érenn may have been constructed. It was written a few years ago now but it is still rvery informative. Otherworld Women in Early Irish Literature Author: Heather C KayI only discovered this wonderful paper as I was completing this episode. I will be referencing it again, I am quite certain.. Story Archaeology links for this episode For information on the Cath Maige Tuired or check out these links for texts. Creation Stories: A comparison of the Book of Invasions with other foundation stories. For the story of the two quarreling poet swineherds and bertayal of birth customs in the Táin cycle go to Series 6 'Circling the Táin' through the top navigation or through the link. For a new 'take' on the Lebor Gabála Érenn listen to the Stories in the Landscape conversation ‘The Writing of the Takings’.with Jamie Madden
    27 October 2024, 8:29 pm
  • 37 minutes 57 seconds
    Exploring Samhain: A glimpse into the past
    The festival of Samhain, is one that has been celebrated, in one form or another, for a very long time. In the early Irish stories it was a time for gatherings and feasting. But how has it changed in more recent times? Join Chris as she explores The 'Schools' Folklore collection'' finding some fascinating Halloween tales. Links for this episode Take a look at Allison's Gilbari's paper The Landscape of Halloween: A study of the landscape of Irish Halloween folklore and archaeology. I will be coming back to this excellent paper, soon, in Ramble 14 Find out about the Halloween tradition of 'Souling' Take a listen to the 'Soul Cake' song. Take a look at a very interesting map illustrating the number of places in the world where Halloween is now celebrated. And, of course, explore the Schools' Collection for yourself. Story Archaeology Links for this episode Stories to Remember : More about the Schools' Collection The Voyage of Mael Duin (and the sticky ball of wool!) And take a listen to my favourite Samhain podcast 'special': Corpse Carrying for Beginners
    20 October 2024, 5:52 pm
  • 41 minutes 39 seconds
    Chris’ Ramble 12: The Rider on the River
    Designed by Morgane Suquart for 'Paris 24' Olympics opening ceremony. This 'Ramble' is inpired by the silver rider on the River Seine at the Paris 24 Olympics. So join Chris as she explores the history and mythology of three great rivers, the Seine, the Severn and the Shannon and discovers just how their stories may just meander together. Explore a gallery page of images of places explored in this podcast. A selection of 'Story Archaeolgy' links for this episode Sinann podcast conversation Sinann in the Metrical Dindshenchas The dindshencas poems ÁTH LÍAC FIND Medb and her sisters Imbás: Poetry, Knowledge and Inspiration The Romano British temple at Lydney The Fisher King And a few External Links A useful article on Sequana The Pocklington Chariot excavation The Lochnashade trumpets EX Voto items from Sequana temple complex (Dijon).
    27 August 2024, 6:59 pm
  • 21 minutes 21 seconds
    Chris’ Ramble 11: Romancing the Neolithic Stone
    New Scientific evidence supporting the origin of the altar stone at Stonhenge supports a better understanding of the of societal connections and collaborative co-operation to be found between the communities of early neolithic farmers throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Join Chris in this new ramble and share her excitement! Links for this Episode Listen to 'A Conversation with Anthony Murphy' (This conversation is referenced throughout this Ramble) News of the new evidence on the Altar stone, Stonehenge from the BBC News of the discovery from 'The Guardian.' A short youtube video on the discovery. Further information on the discovery of the original bluestones location in Wales, This is the article that I quote in the podcast.
    15 August 2024, 4:43 pm
  • 30 minutes 49 seconds
    Chris’ Ramble 10 ~ Stories to Remember
    The SchoolsCollection | dúchas.ie The National Folklore Schools Collection was compiled in 1937 with stories and memories collected with the support of schools from all over Ireland. Itis one of Ireland's unique and valuable treasures and a wonderful resource. Join Chris as she explores this collection including its current relevanceand considers whar a similar collecton might look like if gathered now, in 2024, some 87 years later. Search the Schools Folklore collection for yourself Links for this episode A Comversation with Anthony Murphy Chris' Ramble 6~ Just how old are Irish Stories Goibniu and the Gobbán Sáor The Legend of Knockmany Hill – a late tale of Cú Chulainn
    4 May 2024, 2:57 pm
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    A Conversation with Anthony Murphy
    Newgrange at Twilight ~ Anthony Murphy Anthony Murphy, is an author, journalist, astronomer and photographer. He also curates the wondeful Mythical Ireland website. Join Chris and Anthony as they explore how Irish mythological stories, supported by recent evidence from genertics, seem to reflect the remarkable story of both neolithic and bronze age Ireland. This is a slightly longer 'Conversation in the Landscape' than usual but why not? There is so much to explore in this fascinating topic . Links for this episode First and foremost here is the link to Anthony's impressive webite Mythical Ireland 'New Light on the Distant Past'. There is so much to discover and learn on this site. This is the link to the article that inspired me to contact Anthony and invite him to share this conversation. The Beaker People and their Replacement of Neolithic DNA. ~ Is this remembered in Irish Myth? The new henge of Newgrange ~ A once-in-a-lifetime discovery. Read Anthony's blog article on the implications of the 2020 A-DNA discoveries Explore Books by Anthony Murphy Links to other books, talks and articles referenced in our conversation Professor J.P Mallory : Talk: Genetic Geneology Ireland (Belfast 18) Book: In Search of the Irish Dreamtime Professor Mallory on The Beaker People arrival in Ireland Lara Cassidy, (2020). Ancient DNA in Ireland: Isolation, immigration and elite incest. British Archaeology The Horse, The Wheel and Language by David Anthony (PDF format) Story Archaeology Links Chris Ramble 6: Just how old are the Irish stories? Brú na Bóinne and Cnogba - the Boyne Valley in the Metrical Dindshenchas: (Isolde's translations) The Dindshenchas of Knowth - Cnogba: (Isolde's translations) The Dindshenchas of Brug na Bóinde And for conversations, articles and translations based on a wide variety of Irish myths and stories, some of which we discussed in this conversation, explore the Archive through the page top navigation or, of course explore 'Mythical Ireland' for more Irish stories and their settings.
    25 April 2024, 11:15 am
  • 47 minutes 54 seconds
    Chris Ramble 9: An Irish Winter Solstice Journey
    Grianstad an Gheimhridh, the winter solstice is that special moment when the year turns and the hours of daylight, begin slowly to increase. This time of year has long been a cause for reflection and celebration. So, join Chris on yet another ramble, as she explores an Irish Winter Solstice journey. Links for this episode Links on Story Archaeology The Craneskin Bag A Christmas card from the Archaeologists. Extolling the Holly A Satirical Tale of Extreme Gastronomy Fair’s Fair The Dagda’s Cauldron The Dagda’s Cauldron ~ A home-brew supplemental Some Questions answered by the Story Archaeologists This one covers both a discussion of poets' grades and titles as well as , 'Who were the Celts?' A Conversation with Patrick Nunn Edge of Memory and Worlds in Shadow, (information On Patrick Nunn's books.) Read Candles in the Window an anthology of Longford Christmas memories An Archdruid in his Judicial Habit from Costume of the Original Inhabitants of the British Isles (1815) by Samuel Rush Meyrick and Charles Hamilton Smith. Useful External Links Images of Newgrange in the past, before the excavations Mythical Ireland website Newgrange: The Winter Solstice reports, image and videos of Winter Solstice sunrises over the last twenty years. Information about Iron age burials in earlier tomb structures.
    30 December 2023, 8:42 pm
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